BY SHELLEY CRUNK DBJ Contributing Writer

An open house and public meeting was held March 12 in Benoit on the I-69 Mississippi River bridge crossing. A similar meeting was held in McGehee, Ark. the day before.
Representatives from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, Federal Highway Administration and HNTB Corporation of Kansas City, Mo. were on hand to discuss the various issues related to the proposed Great River Bridge and I-69.
The Great River Bridge is expected to cross the Mississippi River near Eutaw landing west of Benoit and connect up with U.S. 65 at a point north or south of McGehee, Ark. On the Mississippi side, the bridge approach highway had been previously proposed to meet Miss. 1 just south of Benoit between the town’s southern corporate limit and Ray Brooks School where the meeting was held.
Prior to the meeting, a brochure mailed by HNTB, the consultants working on the I-69 Mississippi River Crossing Environmental Impact Statement, presented three approach alignment routes to Miss. 1 which are now being considered for the impact statement.
Added to the mix is a new alignment route heading northeast once the highway crosses Lake Bolivar and intersecting Miss. 1 at a location between Longshot Road.
The other new alignment route added heads due south east after crossing Lake Bolivar and intersecting Miss. 1 near Ray Brooks School.
The study now underway will determine the specific location of the I-69 Mississippi River crossing, and whether the planned Great River Bridge should be used by I-69 as that Mississippi River crossing.
The brochure also intimates that “in addition to looking at other possible river crossing locations, this study will look at the locations for the highway leading to and from the Great River Bridge.”
The only other possible Mississippi River crossing for I-69 would be the new U.S. 82 bridge planned for south of Greenville, although numerous state and federal officials have stated previously that I-69 would not go as far south as the U.S. 82 bridge.
The Great River Bridge was originally planned and approved as a two-lane highway leading to and from the bridge between Bolivar County, Miss. and Desha County, Ark.
As a part of I-69, the highway approaches to the Great River Bridge must now meet four-lane interstate highway standards.
Further, the highway must also “connect logically with the rest of I-69. Therefore, a new Environmental Impact Statement must be completed,” states the brochure.
The Environmental Impact Statement will look at a wide range of issues which could impact where the highway could go, including:
Community impacts, such as how the highway will impact farms, businesses and home;
Environmental factors such as how much noise and air pollution will be generated from the highway;
Historic sites in the area which may impact the project is significant;
Land use issues such as how is the land being used today;
Landscape and topography concerns such as, does it makes sense for the highway to follow a ridge or valley?;
Streams and wetlands and how a highway can minimize the impact on water systems;
Wildlife and natural habitat and how the highway can minimize the impact on animals, plants and lands in general; and
Public concerns, such as how a highway could affect communities and individuals.
“The study of I-69 and how best to cross the Mississippi River is what we’re looking at,” says Jerry Mugg, project manager for HNTB. “We’re looking to gather information about how this will affect your communities. We look at all the various alternatives for I-69.”
“This is very important for I-69 which will ultimately lead to its construction. The Great River Bridge is a separate project. The I-69 is a different project. We’re here about I-69 and provide a quick overview what I-69 is all about,” he says.
“This EIS study is necessary for agencies to use federal funds for construction of I-69. The Great River Bridge is a separate project from I-69, but we’re here to look at what’s is the best route. Will it be the best location? Will it be a part of I-69?” says Mugg.
Design work is moving forward on the Great River Bridge to upgrade it from the present two-lane design to a four-lane bridge at interstate standards, he says.
“A lot of work has already been accomplished for I-69,” Mugg says. “The studies provide the general borders or limits of I-69. Within that corridor, we have identified the Great River Bridge as the best location for I-69 to cross the Mississippi River. It is the best location at the best point to the north on the acceptable boundary.”
The EIS will be used to upgrade the two-lane approaches to four-lane, restricted access for I-69 use It is expected that the full study will be completed by the end of the year following other public meetings and a public hearing to address the recommendations from HNTB about the highway approach alignments.
Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall says “We are looking at the alternatives and nothing has been decided.” DBJ